University Spotlight: Michigan State University, What’s Happening During Quarantine
November 6, 2020 Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, while most people are stuck inside and socially distancing, Michigan State University (MSU) is still working diligently on horticultural research projects and trials.
Fluorescent Floriculture Research
Michigan State University Department of Horticulture’s Dr. Erik Runkle and Dr. Roberto Lopez are working on a floricultural research project. The experiments focus on the connection between lighting and yields. Subjects of these experiments include plugs, bedding plants, and leafy greens. These experiments are in collaboration with The Ohio State University, Purdue University, the University of Arizona, and the USDA.
“[My] research focuses on lighting and its effects on quality, yield, and flowering,” Runkle says. “Experiments are performed in the greenhouse as well as indoors for vertical farming.”
According to Runkle’s research page, Runkle developed a Controlled-Environment Lighting Laboratory (CELL) to house the indoor lighting experiments. In the video time-lapse below, you can see how these experiments are conducted using different wave lengths of light.
“My research team also utilizes CELL to better understand how different radiation wavebands (from UV to far-red) influence growth, flower initiation, and quality of floriculture transplants,” said Runkle on his research page. “This research is supported in part by the American Floral Endowment and OSRAM.”
More information can be found on Runkle’s research site here.
New Ornamental Trials
Dr. Kristin Getter, Assistant Professor in the Department of Horticulture and Director of the MSU Horticulture Gardens, is currently working on MSU’s 2020 ornamental trials. With more than 250 entries, Getter has said nine plants have received a 5 (or perfect) in grading. Of those five, two stood out to the judges as the most impressive.
“Our garden staff all agreed the two most interesting plants this year were Bracteantha ‘Granvia Gold’ from Suntory Flowers and Celosia ‘Sol Gekko Green’ from PanAmerican Seed,” Getter says.“The Bracteantha is a gigantic strawflower, and it looked amazing all season. The flowers just never seem to fade, and they are a bright yellowish gold. We had a lot of comments from the public about it. The Celosia ‘Gekko Green’ has unique bicolored leaves throughout the growing season, and it formed tons of small pink inflorescences by the end of the season — providing season–long interest.”
Each plant was graded from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) on the following criteria according to Getter:
- Plant Vigor
- Plant Uniformity
- “WOW” Factor (i.e., color, flower power, uniqueness, etc.)
- Pest and Environmental Stress Resistance
- Overall Score
Getter also says they typically do early–, mid-, and late–season reports from consumers during non-COVID trials, which are then shared with sponsorships.
Getter thinks the ‘Granvia Gold’ will be the hot new plant with consumers come the new year.
“I’m really hoping to see more of the B. ‘Granvia Gold’ in the industry next year,” Getter says. “I will most definitely be buying some for my own landscape beds.”
These trials are self-funded with no university support, rather they are funded by entry fees, fundraisers, plant sales, and (before COVID) weddings. Getter says she is hopeful to host weddings again come next year, once it is safe to do so.
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